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Dissertation
Modeling inclusions in self-assembled membranes: studies with surfactants, proteins, and cholesterol
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Drexel University
May 2004
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-308
Abstract
Theoretical studies of inclusion-induced structural perturbations in self-assembled membranes are motivated by a need to understand biophysical aspects of natural cellular membranes as well as property-performance relations in synthetic vesicles. Much of the progress in the study of membranes has come from studies on model lipid membranes. Despite extensive investigations, lipid-based vesicles are limited in their applications. However, technological advances have led to the development of polymer-based membranes which present a novel opportunity to study membrane properties as a function of molecular weight. To explore future applications of polymer vesicles, it is important to exploit the role played by the material properties. In this work, we examine the effect of the membrane characteristics on the behavior of protein, surfactant and cholesterol-type inclusions. Mathematical models are developed based on membrane elasticity theory to provide a framework for characterizing membrane perturbations. We find that the behavior of inclusions in thicker polymer membranes differs qualitatively and quantitatively from that of lipid membranes. Bilayer thickness, which depends on the amphiphile molecular weight, is found to impose a barrier to surfactant diffusion as well as protein adsorption in polymer membranes. Also, membrane-mediated interactions are shown to significantly influence phase behavior of cholesterol inclusions in lipid bilayers.
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Details
- Title
- Modeling inclusions in self-assembled membranes
- Creators
- Veena Pata - DU
- Contributors
- Nily Dan (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Chemical (and Biological) Engineering [Historical]; College of Engineering (1970-2026); Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 308; 991014632343304721